Press TV’s crew attacked during Turkey’s operation in Syria

Press TV’s crew has come under attack in the Syria town of Rajo in Afrin District near the Turkish border during Turkey’s military operation in Syria.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, as the Press TV team was investigating the damage done to a school during the Turkish offensive.

According to Press TV correspondent Zahra al-Derzi, members of the team suffered injuries during bombing and shelling of the town.

Turkey launched the so-called Operation Olive Branch against Afrin region in northwest Syria on January 20 in a bid to eliminate the US-backed YPG, which Ankara views as a terror organization and the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdish Workers’ Party (PKK). The latter has been fighting for an autonomous region inside Turkey since 1984.

Turkey has also been assisting the so-called Free Syrian Army militants to fight against the Kurdish fighters.

According to the Turkish defense minister, a total of 649 YPG militants had been killed since the beginning of the operation on January 20.

The Syrian government has  condemned the “brutal Turkish aggression” against Afrin, rejecting Ankara’s claim about having informed Damascus of the operation.